5 Vikings players who could be cap casualties in 2022
By Adam Carlson
Harrison Smith – S
- 2022 cap hit: $13,465,882
- 2022 dead cap: $7,663,536
- Potential savings: $5.8M
Harrison Smith will turn 33-years-old in February, but he is still playing at a high level. He was selected to the 2022 Pro Bowl, making it his sixth time being named to the game, plus earned All-Pro honors for his play in 2017.
$5.8 million isn’t a lot of money to save for cutting a player the caliber of Smith. However, if Minnesota can bring back Xavier Woods on a cheap contract and get the most of young defensive back Camryn Bynum, they could be able to get by without too much of a dropoff.
The only reason Smith could wind up being a cap casualty this offseason is if a new coaching staff comes in and wants to start with a rebuild, including letting multiple veterans go and try to look for a younger, less expensive group of players.
It would be a surprise cut in some ways if Smith was let go considering he recently signed an extension through the 2025 season that includes a potential out after the 2022 season, but you never know what will happen in today’s NFL.